Liam Cunningham – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Andre Ovredal

Written By: Bragi Schut Jr. And Zack Olkewicz

Based on Log Of The Demeter “DRACULA” By Bram Stoker

Cinematography: Tom Stern

Editor: Julian Clarke, Patrick Larsgaard and Christian Wagner

Cast: Corey Hawkins, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchain, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Walley, Jon jon Briones, Stefan Kepicic, Martin Furland

A crew sailing from Varna (Bulgaria) by the Black Sea to England finds that they are carrying very dangerous cargo.

This is not a bad film, but it does feel like a lost opportunity where the audience keeps thinking how much better it could be if it used practical effects so there wasn’t so much CGI. Also if the movie was filmed on actual film and not digital, it wouldn’t look so dark and feel more of the period. And if it had been made in the 1980s, it would feel more like either an adaptation or a surprise filled with more imagination, and a studio would maybe Mohr put its full weight behind it either in theaters or even if it was a movie that was faded to end up straight to home video.

As it stands now, it feels too slick and not quite sincere enough to be a success which it should be.

This is another film, directed by Andre Ovredal. Who adds a black lead to a supernatural historical tale. Which does add excitement and some color to the proceedings. Though here The film remains predictable.

I have seen some audience members attack the film because of the beginning And readers of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel, which lets us know what happens or the fate of the crew and characters, but truthfully, that is what most slasher and horror films are guilty of we watch for the how wise and who’s we most likely what will happen? We just come to see how it happens, though. The same can be true of action films and sequels. Especially with stars and specialized starring in those types of films and playing virtually the same character or the same type. So picking on this film for the same reason feels like low-hanging fruit that you know coming in what it would be like and most likely that would be predictable.

At least the screenwriters and filmmakers offer to flash out that chapter of the book and use their own imagination to ramp up, not only the characters and suspense but, ultimately their fates also try to create a claustrophobic atmosphere on the ship.

Stay entertaining, filled with characters that could have easily failed as this film obviously has passion and quality behind it.

Unfortunately, it comes off as a well-intentioned B-movie. With competing and battling accents among the actors to see who can be the most authentic to a certain rogue or region.

The film has a cast, and Cory Hawkins deserves more leading roles. As well as Aisling Franciosi who always seems to play characters who are surviving in pain.

Though the film seems to be trying to offer an origin to a franchise. we know unfortunately isn’t coming or the beginning of a fruitless search for justice. It’s a shame as the film has all the right ingredients. It’s just that the meal or main course isn’t as tasty as it should be.

Grade: C

Written & Directed By: John Michael Mcdonagh
Cinematography: Larry Smith
Editor: Chris Gill

Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong, Rory Keenan, Liam Cunningham, Fionnula Flanagan

Sergeant Gerry Boyle is a small-town Irish cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humor, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international cocaine-smuggling ring that has brought straight-laced FBI agent Wendell Everett to his door.

This is a film that frankly the audience might be starved for a dialogue-driven character-driven dark comedic buddy cop film. Mismatched partners where one is by the book the other is dirty but with a set of rules all his own. Even as most of the cops he works with are dirty just as he is guilty of it himself.

Don Cheadle is perfect as the midwestern FBI agent brought into this foreign small town. Essentially playing the straight man. A fish out of water. He has a quiet dignity as a gentleman and straight arrow. Who can still kick ass if he has to.

Brendan Gleeson epitomizes the word star in this movie after years as a great character actor in such gems as GANGS OF NEW YORK he occasionally gets the lead role like in the magnificent THE GENERAL (he seems to star in movies with rank and job titles) which is the first film I noticed him in where he was phenomenal. Here he makes his acting look effortless; he fully inhabits the character. Luckily he has someone skilled to play off of.

The film is filled with quirky characters and situations like the villains who frankly are smarter than everyone around them and more dangerous.

The film treats violence like a normal everyday occurrence yet the film is not brutal.

Everyone in the cast is an essential part of the story. Praise should be given to all of them from Actress Finola Flannigan who should definitely be getting more work. She puts so much heart into all of her roles.

The film has a laid-back pace but pulls you in with excitement. As you can’t wait for the next scene or next line of dialogue. As you never know what’s going to happen.

You have philosophical drug smugglers, country-western IRA agents, dirty cops that make out morally questionable heroes look clean. As he only really starts to participate in trying to bust and break up this drug ring because he’s tried and true deputy is killed. Besides that, he pretty much makes no waves and has a standing appointment with his escorts weekly. With his bulldog glare yet puppy dog eyes he’s a Brute but a gentle one.

If you like the film IN BRUGES you will like this. It was fast-paced and action-oriented (which seems more a second thought here) but with a similar mood and style, with good reason. As the writer/director of this film is the brother of writer/director/playwright of IN BRUGES

There are very sympathetic characters in this film yet they find a way into the audience’s heart even if it is for you only a scene or two.

Grade: B+

Tag: Liam Cunningham

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